We help businesses reduce their business rates liabilities by identifying inaccuracies in the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) calculation of the rateable value of a property. We manage the entire process from initial review to formal representation.

Business rates are a tax charged on most non-domestic (commercial) properties in England and Wales. They help fund local services, similar to council tax for residential properties.

Your business rates bill is calculated using two main elements:

1. Rateable Value (RV) – This is set by the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and represents the estimated annual rent your property could have achieved on the open market at a fixed valuation date.

   • For the current rating list, this date is 1 April 2021.

   • The RV is based on size, use, location, condition, and rental evidence from similar properties.

2. Multiplier (or Uniform Business Rate) – This is set by the government each year and determines how much tax you pay per £1 of Rateable Value. The current multiplier in England is 54.6 pence for properties with an RV of £51,000 or greater. The small business rate multiplier has been frozen at 49.9p.

Additional factors like transitional arrangements, or temporary reliefs may reduce your bill.

What services do you offer to commercial occupiers?
We provide a full range of business rates services, including:

• VOA Challenges – We manage the entire Check, Challenge, Appeal (CCA) process.

• Factual corrections – Rectifying errors in areas, floor plans, or property descriptions.

• Fairness of the list review – Using rental evidence and comparables to identify excessive valuations.

• Material Change in Circumstances (MCC) – Seeking reductions for disruption such as construction works or road closures.

• New occupier advice – Ensuring you don’t overpay from day one of your lease.

• Reliefs– Looking for any reliefs that should be applied to reduce the rateable value.

• Valuation Tribunal representation – If necessary, we’ll represent you at Tribunal to secure a fair outcome.

Can you help landlords or owners with vacant properties?
Yes. We provide tailored strategies for mitigating or removing business rates liability on empty properties. This includes:

• Deletion appeals – Removing properties from the rating list when undergoing refurbishment or demolition.

• Completion notice advice – Ensuring new buildings are not prematurely assessed before practical completion.

• Deletion appeals - If your property is in an unusable state we will explore whether we can delete the property from the Rating List due to it being incapable of beneficial occupation.

• Empty rates relief - Ensuring the correct period of empty rates relief has been applied.

Yes, absolutely. We work with businesses of all sizes, even if you're a small business with just one commercial property. As long as you are based in England or Wales and pay business rates, there’s no property too small or obscure.

How does the process work?

1. Initial review – We assess your current business rates and property details.

2. Detailed investigation – If there’s potential for savings, we may inspect the property and gather evidence.

3. Check, Challenge, Appeal (CCA) process – We handle the full CCA process with the VOA.

4. Savings delivered – If we’re successful, your bill is reduced and refunds are issued.

Do you need to visit the property?
In most cases, yes. A site inspection allows us to check measurement accuracy, layout, and condition—factors the VOA may have misinterpreted.

How long does it take?
The Check, Challenge, Appeal process can be be as quick as a few weeks or take several months or more, depending on the complexity of the case and capacity of the VOA.

Do I have to pay anything upfront?
No. Our service is completely success-based. There is no upfront fee, and no charge if we don’t save you money.

How much do you charge?
We charge a percentage of the savings achieved. This is agreed in writing before any formal work is started. The fee percentage depends on the property type and Rateable Value.

Are there any hidden charges?
No. All fees are clearly explained and agreed before we proceed. If we don’t secure savings, you owe us nothing.

How can I get started?
Get in touch with us at info@hyperionrating.co.uk for a free, no-obligation review. We’ll tell you if there’s potential for savings and walk you through the next steps.